Information for teachers about the Smile Solutions Tooth Fairy

Concerning statistics from the 2011 Child Dental Health Survey show that almost half of Australian children aged five and six have one or more cavities in their milk teeth, while one in ten have more than seven cavities.

In order to help reduce the number of Australian children suffering from preventable dental disease, Smile Solutions, Australia’s largest dental practice, sponsors a free initiative to educate children in how to care for their teeth and gums.

The Smile Solutions Tooth Fairy, who is also a registered dental nurse, presents to Melbourne kindergartens and schools an educational, interactive show, during which she teaches children about oral care and good nutrition, assisted by her friendly puppet Boris the (toothy) Dragon.

Each session, which is interactive and fun, lasts about 30 minutes. The Smile Solutions Tooth Fairy and her assistant explain or demonstrate:

the difference between healthy food and junk food/drinks and the ways in which junk foods/drinks damage teeth

how to bush teeth, gums and tongue correctly, reinforced by a song

how to floss and why it’s important to do so

correct names of some of our teeth

what to expect when teeth become wobbly and how the adult teeth will grow

the process of visiting a dentist

Children are shown some of the instruments used by a dentist and one child is given the opportunity to try on a dental gown, mask and gloves.

The children will take home an educational letter for their parents, a dental voucher, a tooth chart, colouring-in sheets and more.

Teachers are encouraged to book the Tooth Fairy to visit their kindergarten or school. For more information, go to the website www.toothfairy.com.au

*The contents of this blog post are of a general nature only and may not apply to your specific circumstances. As every person is different we always recommend that you visit a qualified dental practitioner to obtain tailored dental advice to suit your own specific needs.